Wood colors & stain | Restoration, Repair and Maintenance

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Wood colors & stain

July 2, 2019
12:06 am

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Just wondering what stain colors were used on the buttstock/forestock were used by Winchester pre 1932. If it matters, model 1894 particularly.

I know the wood was primarily Walnut, & sometimes Gumwood, but I’ve seen rifles with a variety of colors from dark to light yellowish.

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Always get the water for the coffee upstream from the herd

July 2, 2019
2:11 am

Bert H.

Kingston, WA

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Winchester used their own proprietary finishes. It is not something you can just go buy off the shelf.

Winchester used American Black Walnut for all Model 1894 "Rifles" unless someone special ordered something different (e.g. Birds Eye Maple). Gumwood was only used on the Carbines, and from circa 1906 - 1925. If a Carbine was equipped with a special order pistol grip stock, or checkered stocks, Winchester used walnut versus gumwood.

The variation in color you have observed is primarily due to use & wear, or somebody sanding and refinishing the wood (most often).

Bert

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July 2, 2019
1:39 pm

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Ok thanks Bert. I can’t confirm the several I’ve seen over the years but it must be wear as you say on a couple of them I’ve seen most recently that I believe are 100% original.

I will try & get some pics of one I know of & post & also the next time I see one. Does anyone have pics of a lighter colored wood they own that’s original?

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Always get the water for the coffee upstream from the herd

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